Winter driving in Minnesota can be unpredictable and downright dangerous. Weather conditions can change in the blink of an eye. A commute that started out slow but safe can end up very dangerous when wind speeds increase or precipitation resumes.
Particularly in low temperatures where snow does not stick together, whiteouts can occur due to the rapid fall of snow or high wind speeds. Whiteout conditions leave drivers unable to properly monitor the road and nearby vehicles.
Dashboard cameras have become much more common in recent years. Some research indicates that almost a third of motorists, approximately 30%, may have a camera recording their conduct in traffic. For those who know that a commute during whiteout conditions is all but inevitable, investing in a dashboard camera could be a smart decision.
How do dashboard cameras help?
In whiteout conditions, drivers may think that they are in their lane on the road when they are actually over the center line or on the shoulder. Even if the road has rumble strips to warn drivers that they are on the shoulder, precipitation may pack into those strips, rendering them useless during major storms.
After a crash in whiteout conditions, both drivers may insist that they were in their designated lane. There may not be much evidence to establish who was technically at fault. A dashboard camera can make a major difference in such cases.
Dashboard cameras can capture footage of another driver veering over the center line and into oncoming traffic. The footage can also support the claim that the motorist with the camera did not swerve or veer out of their lane on the road.
The footage captured by the camera provides objective evidence. Camera footage is more trustworthy than the testimony of individuals whose judgment may have been compromised due to a high-stress driving situation. Even those who know they are at fault may sometimes try to blame others and assume that it is impossible to prove what actually transpired.
Reviewing dashboard camera footage with a personal injury attorney can be helpful for those trying to cover their expenses after a winter weather car crash. Footage of what happened before and during a car collision in whiteout conditions can validate who was at fault and support claims for compensation after an injurious wreck.